Tennis: German joy for gutsy Justine

Back after the virus that almost ended her career, the Belgian cruises through to the German Open final

Complying with doctor’s orders is not always simple, particularly for a sportswoman who craves to recapture her former position as the world’s leading player but has been warned that over-exertion could have grave consequences. With assistance from some seemingly apathetic opponents, Justine Henin- Hardenne is coping with the problem admirably.

For much of the past year the slight Belgian has been debilitated by a strain of the cytomegalo virus complicated by an immunity problem. She often slept up to 18 hours a day and did not have the strength to drive a car, much less play competitive tennis. A fortnight tomorrow, when they begin to play at Roland Garros, she appears the female most likely to lift the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen as the French Open champion.

Superficially, those long months of inactivity seem to be becoming increasingly irrelevant as a third consecutive tournament win seems to beckon here at the